In modern time, a growing number of women have been actively involved with startups, breaking through barriers to bring innovative ideas and quality products to the market. Through start-up projects, their potential and creativity are continuously stimulated, hereby contributing to promoting the role of women in economic development and ensuring gender equality in this aspect.

Bustling atmosphere at a contest for startup ideas, as part of a recent startup festival for women launched by the municipal Women’s Union

Ms Tran Thi Kim Thoa, the Head of an associated group making lovely, adorable, eye-catching stuffed animals in Ngu Hanh Son District’s Hoa Hai Ward, said, she began learning how to make this kind of product at the age of 16.

Previously, Thoa had realised the fact that many women living in her neighbourhood boasted good sewing skills, whilst they had to stay at home to take care of their little children.

Given her rich experience and understanding of consumers’ diversified tastes, with the hope of helping these unemployed women earn money, Thoa took the initiative to establish the group in September 2017 with 5 female members.

Up to now, the number of her group members has gone up to 11. As for the specific tasks, 2 members get involved in outlining designs, 3 in cutting, decorating and packaging, 4 in sewing, and remaining 2 in stuffing.

In the early days of operation, the group faced numerous difficulties due to lack of equipment, machinery and experience in seeking consumption markets for its products, only 50 -100 small sized stuffed animals were made each day, and the majority of them were supplied to stands in the Hoa Khanh and An Cu markets in Son Tra and Lien Chieu districts, respectively for sale.

Thanks to the group members’ ceaseless efforts to pursue their strong start-up ambitions, up to 400 small-sized and 200 large-sized stuffed animals are produced each day.

The group generates the average daily revenue of more than 10 million VND, and its female members earn a monthly income of between 8 and10 million VND each. At present, the group’s products marked their presence at many stuffed animal stores in Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and other localities nationwide.

Another praiseworthy woman, Ms Ngo Thi Bich Hanh from Hai Chau District’ Hoa Khanh Ward decided to start a family-run business named Hanh's Kitchen to offer food and drinks online.

On display at https://www.facebook.com/bepmehanh are a wide range of yummy food as birthday cakes made of jelly, and products made from glutinous rice and green beans.

In addition, she also receives orders of ‘banh chung’ (square glutinous rice cake) for the Tet Festival, and makes snacks and drinks for young people. Included are fried corn, fresh spring rolls, and yoghurt.

Noticeably, Hanh’s products meet food safety and hygiene standards, with no banned food additives and preservation substances.

Also, some dishes are wrapped in sheets of paper or banana leaves, whilst drinks are packaged in glass bottles at users’ convenience, and most importantly, these packaging methods are good for the environment. 

Hanh revealed that her startup aims at satisfying her strong passion for culinary arts as well as helping to preserve the essence of time-honoured traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

With their creative ideas, Ms Thoa won the first prize at a contest for startup ideas, as part of a recent startup festival for women launched by the municipal Women’s Union, and Ms Hanh won a consolation prize with the idea of Hanh's Kitchen.

Meanwhile, the second prize went to Ms Phan Thi Vinh from Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Nhon Commune for her backyard chicken raising model. The third prize was awarded to Ms Ngo Thi My Hanh from Son Tra District’s Tho Quang Ward for her startup project involved in offering tourism products.